Mandeville downs crosstown rival Fontainebleau, 27-6

In an annual battle for city pride, the home team left no doubt.

Mandeville parlayed solid defense, including several turnovers, into a 27-6 win over Fontainebleau in a District 6-5A contest Friday night.

The Skippers capitalized on six turnovers by the Bulldogs which proved to be the pivotal force in the victory.

Nate Sheppard scored on a 1-yard run in the first quarter to put Mandeville up 7-0.

That advantage would grow exponentially.

Mandeville took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter on Isaiah Baham 29-yard run midway through the quarter before Charles Stipe came up with a pick-six, returning an interception 45 yards for a score to expand the lead to 21-0 by halftime. Stipe had two interceptions on the night.

The Skippers made it 27-0 when Caden Jacob scored on a 1-yard run early in the third quarter.

Fontainebleau avoided a shutout when Dylan Rucker returned a fumble recovery five yards for a touchdown with just over three minutes remaining.

Mandeville held Fontainebleau to just 133 total yards.

Baham led the Skippers with 15 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown. Jaden Echols led the Bulldogs with 13 carries for 48 yards.

Mandeville (4-3, 2-2) stayed alive in the district race with the win. The Skippers travel to district leader St. Paul’s next Friday night.

Fontainebleau (3-4, 1-3) will entertain Ponchatoula next Friday.